University of Minnesota Athletics
Miller Inspired By Rio Experience
9/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
By Hannah Barnes, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS -- University of Minnesota women's track & field assistant coach Peter Miller, who competed for the Golden Gophers from 2004 to 2008, headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this summer to attend the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
A former Gopher track & field athlete himself, Miller attended his third Olympic Games this summer; he also went to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, as a fan.
Miller attended the Rio Games with his mother Becky, traveling with the Track & Field News Magazine tour. As part of the tour, he received tickets to two sessions of track & field per day.
Upon returning home, Miller has felt inspired, hoping that he will attend the 2020 Summer Olympics as a coach.
"As a coach, it's inspiring to know that we have athletes on our roster that can have the Olympics be part of their thought process," Miller said. "It's fun to look at our roster and see some people that could realistically compete in Tokyo."
As Minnesota's throwing coach and a former thrower himself, Miller admitted that the throwing events were his favorite to watch, but he also was inspired after seeing former Gophers Hassan Mead and Ben Blankenship find success in their respective events on the track.
Miller stated that he was never teammates with Blankenship, but thought highly of Mead, who was a freshman when Miller was in his fifth year.
"Hassan was a huge part of our team at that point," Miller said. "I told people that when he was a freshman I thought he would be an Olympian because he's got enough talent, but he's the right kind of person, too."
Aside from being inspired by his fellow Gophers, Miller enjoyed the environment and his experience in Rio. He was able to witness three world records and five Olympic records be set.
"It was nice to be involved in the positive environment of track & field down there," Miller said. "The local people were great. The fans were supportive of everyone."
Even though he attended the Games as a spectator, Miller feels his experience in Rio helped him grow as a coach as well.
"The more I know, the better I can prepare an athlete," Miller said. "I have no doubt that there are some kids on our roster that can be there in four years if they choose to."
"It was an awesome experience, but I'm excited to be back. I'm inspired and ready to get ready for 2017."
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